Today, SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA/FWB: S92) presents its financial report for the first six months from January to June 2010. With group sales of EUR 815.8 million and an inverter output sold of 3,146 MW, the data published today is slightly above the preliminary figures of July 6, 2010. “This means that the first half year of 2010 was the most successful half year in SMA's history,” says Günther Cramer, CEO of SMA.

SMA is the only inverter manufacturer worldwide offering the matching inverter type for every module type and all performance classes. This unique position enabled SMA to benefit particularly from the strong demand in the first half year of 2010. Main demand incentives came from the German photovoltaics market. Against the backdrop of the early adjustment of feed-in remuneration for solar energy from July 1, 2010, many plant operators in Germany brought forward their investments. Greater demand was also recognizable in foreign markets. France, Italy, Belgium as well as North America and Australia were among the most important foreign markets. For the entire year of 2010, SMA’s Managing Board expects substantial growth of the global market to up to 14 GW (2009: approx. 8 GW).

SMA's group sales totaled EUR 815.8 million from January to June 2010. Accordingly, sales more than tripled compared to the same period of the previous year (Q1-Q2 2009: EUR 247.1 million). EUR 476.5 million was attributable to the second quarter (Q2 2009: EUR 160.4 million), which corresponds to about 58 % of total sales. Development of sales in the first half year was influenced by the limited availability of electronic components. In total, SMA sold an inverter output of 3.1 GW in the first six months, of which 1.9 GW in the second quarter alone. The Managing Board of SMA maintains its sales forecast of EUR 1.5 to 1.8 billion for the entire year of 2010, announced on July 6.

Operating profit (EBIT) improved to EUR 219.9 million in the reporting period (Q1-Q2 2009: EUR 35.0 million). Due to changes in the product mix and economies of scale, the EBIT margin in the first six months of 2010 increased to 27.0 % following 14.2 % in the previous year’s period. For the entire year of 2010, SMA’s Managing Board confirms its profitability target (EBIT) of 24 % to 27 % in relation to sales. Consolidated net profit was EUR 158.2 million in the first half year (Q1-Q2 2009: EUR 26.0 million). In the reporting period, SMA’s earnings per share of EUR 4.56 were almost identical to the figure of the whole of 2009 (2009: EUR 4.64 per share; total number of shares 34.7 million in each year). In the first six months of 2009, the earnings per share were EUR 0.75.

The net working capital more than doubled by June 30, 2010 and increased to EUR 252.6 million (December 31, 2009: EUR 98.6 million). The net working capital was 16.8 % in relation to sales of the last twelve months. Accordingly, the ratio was within the corridor of 16 % to 18 % as expected by the management. In essence, the rise in the net working capital is attributable to the planned increase in inventories (in particular in raw materials, consumables and supplies). With EUR 231.7 million, inventories were more than doubled (December 31, 2009: EUR 112.5 million) in order to ensure the maximum utilization of production.

SMA received several awards in the first half of 2010 for extraordinary achievements. For example, the completely redesigned Sunny Central 800CP won the Intersolar Award. The jury was convinced by this central inverter particularly because of its enormous cost-minimizing potential and its high level of efficiency. In addition, on the occasion of the 25th Photovoltaics Solar Energy Symposium in Bad Staffelstein, SMA received the innovation award for its new three-phase multi-string inverter Sunny Tripower. SMA’s reporting has set new standards for TecDAX companies. Its annual report 2009 won several awards by the League of American Communications Professionals (LACP), including being ranked 18th among the best annual reports 2009 worldwide.

“Due to our high power of innovation and unique position in the solar market, we closed the first half year of 2010 with record results. In the forthcoming months, we will concentrate, in particular, on the increase in our production quantities and on the expansion of our technology and market leadership,” explains Günther Cramer. “Our global presence helps us to benefit from the strong growth of the photovoltaics market. Therefore, we adhere to our sales and earnings forecast.”


About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of EUR 934 million in 2009 and is the worldwide market leader for photovoltaic inverters, a key component of all solar power plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented on four continents by 13 foreign subsidiaries. The Group employs a staff of over 5,000 (incl. temporary workers). SMA’s product portfolio includes the most comprehensive range of inverters on the market, offering a compatible inverter for every type of photovoltaic module and for all plant sizes. The product range covers both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company SMA Solar Technology AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for its excellence as an employer.



SMA Solar Technology AG
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany

Press contact:
Volker Wasgindt
Head of Press and Association Work
Phone +49 561 9522-11 21
Fax +49 561 9522-11 03
Volker.Wasgindt@SMA.de


Investor Relations:
Anna Raudszus (Institutional Investors/Analysts)
Director Investor Relations
Phone +49 561 9522-22 22
Fax +49 561 9522-22 23
ir@SMA.de

Julia Damm (Private Investors)
Phone +49 561 9522-11 64


Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the "Company") or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the "SMA Group") nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the executive board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.]]> Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:28:00 +0100 www.sma.de/en http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/crevits-verlicht-1500-haltes-met-zonne-energie/ http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/crevits-verlicht-1500-haltes-met-zonne-energie/ Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:09:53 +0100 SolarTotal http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/sma-solar-technology-ag-at-the-25th-european-photovoltaic-solar-energy-conference-and-exhibition_rss/ http://www.sma.de/en/news-information/current-news/news/news/sma_solar_technology_ag_auf_der_25_european_photovoltaic_solar_energy_conference_and_exhibition-1/back/32.html SMA Solar Technology AG will present its latest products at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Valencia from September 6 to 10. Whether it's the new Sunny Central 800CP, the Sunny Boy 3000HF, the Sunny WebBox with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, or the new Sunny Backup System. When it comes to the company's latest product developments, SMA's focus is to make them even more easy to use while further decreasing system costs.

A compact design and high performance are not mutually exclusive – and the Sunny Central 800CP from SMA proves it. The central inverter is just one of many new developed products SMA Solar Technology AG will present at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Valencia from September 6 to 10. The new Sunny Central 800CP does not require a concrete enclosure and offers the highest levels of performance and efficiency in the smallest amount of space: it is the first PV inverter to offer 800 kVA of nominal power in combination with an efficiency of 98.6 percent as a single device. Due to its newly designed, compact interior, its use of innovative technologies, and its high level of efficiency, this series represents reduced system costs and easy installation in outdoor settings. And thanks to its compact and weatherproof enclosure, the devices can be loaded and transported with ease and set up almost anywhere. In fact, this new central inverter received the Intersolar Award in the "Photovoltaics" category at this year's Intersolar Europe.

Sunny Boy 3000HF: Flexible, Easy to Use, and Efficient
This is another case where it pays to look a little closer: thanks to its efficiency of 96.3 percent and a large number of technological innovations, the Sunny Boy 3000HF delivers the best ratings in this power class with galvanic isolation. Installation is even easier thanks to its low weight of only 17 kg, the DC plug system SUNCLIX, the optional plug-in generator grounding module, and its easily accessible Quick Module configuration unit. And because of its wide input voltage range from 175 to 700 volts, the majority of modules can be covered with only two strings; this makes installation easier and cuts costs as a result.

SUNNY WEBBOX with Bluetooth Wireless Technology
In this case, less is more: the Sunny WebBox with Bluetooth Wireless Technology doesn't need any cables, is easy to set up, and is extremely easy to use. The data logger receives and saves current measured values and data from PV inverters and Sunny SensorBox devices. The Sunny WebBox can access up to 50 network nodes using Bluetooth, the international wireless communications standard. This means operators can stay updated on the status of their PV plant at all times. In addition, specialists can configure all SMA inverters using the Sunny WebBox Web interface. And thanks to the Sunny WebBox Assistant, it only takes a few easy steps to get the Sunny WebBox up and running.

Sunny Backup Can Now Be Used Worldwide
Another new development from SMA: thanks to an innovative protection and grounding concept, the Sunny Backup System is now approved for use with all common power distribution grids. Most plant operators are not aware that, due to safety reasons, PV plants must automatically disconnect from the grid in case of a power outage. In a commercial or agricultural setting, however, a power outage can have drastic economic effects, such as when the refrigeration systems in supermarkets fail or the ventilation systems and heat lamps in buildings holding livestock go out. In case of a power outage, SMA's Sunny Backup System takes over using a solar-assisted battery power supply, and the battery-powered inverter automatically switches to stand-alone power within milliseconds. In doing so, the Sunny Backup System takes over the role of the power grid and provides an uninterrupted supply of power. This means that solar power will always be available, even during a power outage. Due to different grounding and protection concepts, there has been no backup solution for TT grids. This meant that countries with significant potential for using solar power, such as France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, southern Germany, and parts of Brazil and Africa, could not use backup solutions. But now an innovative grounding and protection concept allows this system to be used worldwide for the very first time. The new Sunny Backup System will be available starting in October 2010.

SMA's Multicluster Technology: Create Modular Stand-Alone Systems with up to 300 kW
Another of SMA's newly developed products pertains to off-grid systems: with the company's new integrated Multicluster Box 36, PV operators will finally be able to set up modular PV hybrid systems which can generate up 300 kW. With this development, SMA is taking another large step toward providing an across-the-board supply of electricity from renewable energies to entire remote areas not connected to a national power grid. This means that large stand-alone systems can be built, configured, and maintained locally by qualified electricians without the need for external experts. In taking this step, SMA not only cuts system costs and makes installation easier, but also makes a significant contribution to increasing the standard of living in regions not connected to a national power grid.

The Premiere of the Windy Boy TL
At the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Exhibition, visitors will see the premiere of the Windy Boy 3600TL and the Windy Boy 5000TL. With a maximum efficiency of 97 percent, these transformerless, communicative, easy to use, and efficient wind energy inverters guarantee optimum yields from small wind energy plants and can be used with all types of turbines.

Visit us at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Valencia, Spain. You will find us on Level 3, in Hall 2, Booth B11.

Press contact:
SMA Solar Technology AG
Anja Jasper
Sonnenallee 1
D-34266 Niestetal
Germany
Tel.: +49 561 9522 2805
Fax: +49 561 9522-4567
E-Mail: Anja.Jasper@SMA.de]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:16:00 +0100 www.sma.de/en http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/sma-solar-technology-enables-use-of-solar-electricity-in-ethiopian-health-cares_rss/ http://www.sma.de/en/news-information/current-news/news/news/sma_solar_technology_enables_use_of_solar_electricity_in_ethiopian_health_cares/back/32.html The majority of the approximately 80 million residents of Ethiopia live in remote and mountainous regions without access to power supply. The country in Africa's northeast belongs to the highest countries on the continent. Over half of the country is at least 1,200 meter above sea level. In many cases, there is no access to the public power network.

With the project "Access to Modern Energy Services Ethiopia" (AMES-E), the GTZ, a federally owned organization for international cooperation and sustainable development, helps to improve the electricity supply situation in rural and remote parts of the country. For this project, SMA provided a total of 100 battery power inverters to supply medical clinics with solar-generated alternating current (AC). In these Health Cares about 20 doctors and nurses tend to the patients.

More quality of life with SMA inverters
During the first phase, SMA delivered the technology for 50 systems with the Sunny Island and Sunny Boy inverters at the end of last year. In the second phase, another 50 Sunny Island and Sunny Boy inverters will be installed. The solar power plants with a capacity of 1.5 kWp and a maintenance-free battery are used to power crucial equipment in the medical clinics, such as microscopes, centrifuges, refrigerators, and sterilizers.

"With a project of this scale, we can significantly contribute to a better power supply situation in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia," says Volker Wachenfeld, SMA Vice President Off-Grid Systems. "Especially the connection to a stand-alone solar power supply of the medical clinics finally ensures access to medical care. A sufficient health care is essential to achieve on a long-term more quality of life. This is where the off-grid systems make a contribution to the future."

A great advantage of the AC-coupled stand-alone grid with Sunny Island inverters: The grid can be easily expanded along with rising energy demands. This allows, for example, surrounding buildings to be connected to the stand-alone grid. Moreover, solar power that is not used up during the day will be available for energy supply during the night because of the battery. This is crucial for powering the electrical devices in the clinics during the night.

"To us, sustainable energy supply also means that the PV system operators are able to handle their own equipment as independently as possible," says Wachenfeld. This is why SMA service teams regularly train the local operators. SMA inverters not only contribute to a substantial improvement of possibilities, but at the same time support the independence of the locals.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of 934 million Euro in 2009 and is the worldwide market leader for photovoltaic inverters, a key component of each solar power plant. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented on four continents by 13 foreign subsidiaries. The Group employs a staff of over 5,000 (incl. temporary workers). SMA’s product portfolio includes a broad range of inverters, offering a compatible inverter for every type of photovoltaic module and for all plant sizes. The product range covers both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company SMA Solar Technology AG has been listed in the Prime Standard on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for its excellence as an employer.

About the GTZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH is a federally owned organization. The GTZ works worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. Their mandate is to support the German Government in achieving its development objectives. The GTZ provides viable, forward-looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social development in a globalized world. Sometimes working under difficult conditions, GTZ promotes complex reforms and change processes. Their corporate objective is to improve people’s lives on a sustainable basis.


SMA Solar Technology AG
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany

Press Contact:
SMA Solar Technology AG
Anja Jasper
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany
Tel. +49 561/9522-2805
Fax. +49 561/9522- 4567
Anja.Jasper@SMA.de]]> Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:03:00 +0100 www.sma.de/en http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/yingli-green-energys-in-house-polysilicon-plant-successfully-started-commercial-operation_rss/ http://ir.yinglisolar.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=213018&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1456961 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:35:00 +0100 http://ir.yinglisolar.com http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/yingli-green-energy-to-announce-second-quarter-2010-financial-results-on-august-19-2010_rss/ http://ir.yinglisolar.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=213018&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1454896 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:08:00 +0100 http://ir.yinglisolar.com http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/duitsland-wil-tegen-2050-enkel-van-duurzame-bronnen-leven/ http://www.solartotal.be/nl/nieuws/duitsland-wil-tegen-2050-enkel-van-duurzame-bronnen-leven/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:41:20 +0100 SolarTotal